I came across an ad on Friday for the "Cumberland Winter Eagle Festival"... I had never heard of it, but everything about it sounded like something I would enjoy. My plan was to be there for the sunrise walk... that plan did not work out unfortunately, but my husband came along with me, so it was well worth the trade off. He has never joined me on an outing where I was focused primarily on photography. He has never experienced the photographer in me, driving down a road, spotting something of interest, and then... pulling off the road, jumping out of the truck, possibly still running with keys in it and door open, to pursue a shot.... or, sitting in one place for who knows how long, waiting for a "possible" shot... cold be damned.... This should be fun!

We checked in at the Firehouse, as we were instructed. There, they had vendors and information regarding wildlife and the environment. There were a couple of raptors with handlers. The usual assortment of things for sale, pertaining to this venue. I was not interested in spending my time indoors, even with the raptors right in front of me. Though, it was cool to see them, and photograph them, it was not what I was there for.

I wanted to go on the "walks" that they offered. Now, keep in mind, my husband is not a big "outdoors walking" type. You can get him out there once in awhile, usually for an activity more suiting his likes. Here I was, planning on keeping him outside walking for the better part of 5-6 hours in temperatures barely above freezing. And to my surprise, not only did he join me for the majority of that time, he really seemed to enjoy it!!

The disappointment came when the "walks" were basically a "guide" set up in one position with a scope that you could look through and see American Bald Eagles nesting.... about a mile from where you stood.  Each promised "walk" was set up the same. So, we had to take matters into our own hands and create our own "walks". Much better. We were able to see, still at a distance, but at least visible to the naked eye, a pair of nesting Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Harrier hawks, and Mute swans. And also able to finally walk and take in nature around us. It was an area I had never explored before, and sometimes we had to remind ourselves that we had not left New Jersey, though it sure felt like we did. I plan on returning.